Even though I read The Hobbit at around age 12, I didn't become interested in Tolkien until the movies came out. My Dad said that the books were even better, so I decided to buy The Lord of the Rings 3-in-1 book to see if he was right. He was, of course. I eventually gave that to a friend, but not before becoming a book-verse diehard.
I don't remember much about my first reading of Lord of the Rings, but I do remember that I couldn't get enough of it.

Favorite Tolkien character:

Maglor. At first it was just because he was a great singer(I love music). Then I realised just how tragic his story is. And it made me sympathize with him. Sure, I might not have taken a horrible oath and slain innocents, but I've also done things that I'm not proud of and wish I could undo.